How radioactive shrimp ended up in Walmart stores: FDA urges buyers to 'throw it away'

US recalls shrimp over potential radioactivity scare (File image: AFP)

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory on August 19, 2025, warning the public against consuming certain frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart stores. The shrimp in question was imported from the Indonesian supplier PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods) was distributed under Walmart’s Great Value label across 13 states.

According to CNN, a sample from BMS Foods' shipment, detained at U.S. ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami, tested positive for the presence of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.

The FDA clarified that although the detected levels of Cesium-137 were minimal and do not pose an “immediate hazard” if consumed, it has still issued a precautionary warning. “The levels were super minimal and don’t pose an ‘immediate hazard’ if eaten,” the agency stated.

Despite the findings, the FDA confirmed that “no contaminated shrimp made it into US stores.” Nonetheless, consumers are advised to avoid eating the identified product until further notice.

The levels of cesium-137 detected, which were around 68 becquerels per kilogram, were well below the FDA’s intervention level of 1,200 bq/kg, but the agency still issued the advisory out of caution. The advisory concerned the 2-pound Great Value bags of white vannamei shrimp with the best-by date of March 15, 2027.

Cesium-137, a radioactive byproduct of nuclear fission, may have contaminated frozen raw shrimp imported from Indonesia due to the possible use of tainted water in shrimp farming. This contamination could be linked to improper nuclear waste disposal or a radioactive leak, raising serious food safety concerns.

In response, Walmart has initiated a recall of the affected Great Value brand frozen shrimp across 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.

A Walmart spokesperson told BBC, “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate.”

According to the FDA, consumers who purchased the affected products should immediately discontinue use. The agency strongly advises that the shrimp be thrown away and not consumed under any circumstances, even if it appears safe to eat.

Customers are encouraged to return to the Walmart store where the shrimp was purchased to claim a full refund.

In addition, the FDA has directed all distributors and retailers to properly dispose of the product and avoid selling or serving it. These actions are being taken as a precautionary measure due to the potential, though unconfirmed, risk of radioactive contamination.

Even small amounts of radiation exposure, if it happens over time, can raise the risk of health issues like cancer. That’s why the FDA flagged the shrimp as possibly being processed or stored in unsafe conditions, which means there was a chance of contamination.